A Monroe County man who stole a Livingston County Deputy's patrol car last month has been released on an appearance ticket, causing an outraged Sheriff Thomas Dougherty to say "only in New York."
Sheriff Dougherty says 27-year-old Robert Sciarrone of Webster fled from a traffic stop on I-390, jumping across the center median and driving south in the northbound lanes into oncoming traffic. He crashed into a tree in the median, and his car caught fire. When the deputy pursuing went to check if anyone was trapped inside the burning vehicle, Sciarrone stole the patrol car and drove off.
The sheriff says Sciarrone drove at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour in the sherrif's cruiser, crashing when he tried to take an exit too fast. He ended up in Strong Memorial Hospital, and has been charged with grand larceny, unlawful flight from police, reckless endagerment, resisting arrest and a variety of other charges. The charges did not qualify for bail under the New York Bail Reform Law.
Sheriff Dougherty says "the criminals know our laws have weakened, and they are emboldened without consequence."